2016 NBA Playoffs preview: San Antonio Spurs take on the Oklahoma City Thunder
Everyone is talking about the highly anticipated faceoff between the San Antonio Spurs and the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, but it's not as sure as the sun rising though. While the Warriors are looking at the uncertainty of Steph Curry's injury and the resurging Portland Trail Blazers, the Spurs on the other hand will have to first contain a formidable challenge from Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The conference semifinal series is expected to be a battle of one of the league's best offenses against the best defense. Point guard Russell Westbrook and Durant against the massive defensive wall of the Spurs headed by recently named Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard.
Gregg Popovich's boys did not even sweat it against the banged up Memphis Grizzlies, sweeping them in the first round. The Thunder on the other hand had to grind it out against the Dallas Mavericks in a highly physical series, winning it 4-1.
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What San Antonio Needs to Do to Win
The answer is simple – play like they've been playing all season long. Since they'll be enjoying home court advantage, all they have to do is win every game at home, something they've grown accustomed to the entire season. As usual, defense will be the key for them to dispatch a Thunder side that relies heavily on the one-two punch of Durant and Westbrook at the offensive side.
What OKC Needs to Do to Win
If Billy Donovan's squad wants to go back to the conference finals, they need to pull out all the offensive capabilities they have and avoid relying too much on their two All-Stars. This means they need to switch to a higher gear to overwhelm San Antonio's defense. Dion Waiters, Serge Ibaka, Enes Kanter, and Randy Foye must be able to take those shots they're expected to be provided with as the defense will focus on the two superstars.
Update: Spurs routs Thunder in Game 1
The Spurs did what was expected of them in Game 1 earlier today, frustrating the Thunder offense en route to a 124-92 rout. San Antonio didn't need Tim Duncan's usual playoff heroics in this game as his heir apparent, LaMarcus Aldridge torched the Thunder with 38 points in three quarters in the wire-to-wire victory.
